Description
A foolproof, one-dish weeknight dinner featuring ground beef, Italian sausage, and a rich tomato sauce layered with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. This freezer-friendly comfort food feeds a crowd and is perfect for busy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 fat content)
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage (casing removed)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (or beef broth)
- 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
- 15-ounce container full-fat ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (from a block)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Brown for 6-8 minutes until crust forms. Drain excess fat (do not rinse).
- Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize. Pour in red wine and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes. Stir well, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Add pasta to boiling water. Cook until al dente, but remove 1-2 minutes before package directions indicate (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese with an egg, half of the parmesan, and a handful of mozzarella.
- Add the cooked pasta and meat sauce to the ricotta mixture. Toss until pasta is evenly coated.
- Spread mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan on top.
- Cover with foil (tented so it doesn’t touch cheese) and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta; it will turn to mush in the oven. Use block cheese and shred it yourself to avoid anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before cutting to ensure clean slices. For freezing, assemble unbaked, wrap tightly, and freeze. Thaw in fridge overnight before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: baked ziti, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner, cheesy pasta, Italian sausage, comfort food, meal prep, freezer friendly, family dinner